News and blog

Update for Saturday April 21st

Here is a brief update on events at the market this Saturday.   Just a few new additional items are noted below.  We are all waiting with anticipation for more locally grown items, but we are not quite there yet.  A summary of the produce is at the bottom of the messsage. 

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The Update

Greenawalt Farm

Zang's Greenhouse... Special items for this week include, local lettuce, and local micro greens.  Rick will also have cooking greens such as kale, collards and swiss chard and fresh cut basil.  Rick will have shipped in asparagus.  He told me local asparagas is right around the corner.

The Greek Gourmet-  Mike from the Greek Gourmet wanted me to let everyone know that he will continue to bring the homemade spinach and meat pies to the market each week- in addition to 20+ flavors of hummus.  Yum!

Kew Park Coffee Bar- Rick was able to get us one last box of tangerines, so we will have fresh tangerine juice for the next 2 weeeks.  They are extremely ripe and make excellent juice.

Summary of Produce Available

Veggies

• Potatoes
• Mushrooms
• Squash
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Carrots and other root vegetables
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Shallots
• Peppers- sweet and hot
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Turnips
• Broccoli

Fruit

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Florida Citrus such as lemons, limes and oranges
• Grapes
• Other fruit such as berries

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

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The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Update for Saturday April 14th

Thanks to all who visited the market last Saturday.  We had a really great day.  Hopefully everyone who celebrated Easter had a great holiday.

Here is a brief update on events at the market this Saturday.   A summary of the produce is at the bottom of the messsage. 

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The Update

Building Improvements

The roof replacement project is complete!  We are still doing some clean-up work around the building.  We also completed the sink installation at the Kew Park Coffee Bar.  Stop by and check it out.

Zang's Greenhouse... Special items for this week include ramps, local lettuce, and local micro greens.  Rick will also have cooking greens such as kale, collards and swiss chard.  Rick will have shipped in asparagus.  He told me local asparagas is right around the corner.

The Greek Gourmet-  Mike from the Greek Gourmet wanted me to let everyone know that he will continue to bring the homemade spinach and meat pies to the market each week- in addition to 20+ flavors of hummus.  Yum!

Kew Park Coffee Bar- We are at the end of tangerine season. This means they are extremely ripe and juicy.  So stop by and have a glass of fresh squeezed tangerine before it is gone for another year.

Sumnmary of Produce Available

Veggies

• Potatoes
• Ramps
• Mushrooms
• Squash
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Carrots and other root vegetables
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Shallots
• Peppers- sweet and hot
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Turnips
• Broccoli

Fruit

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Florida Citrus such as lemons, oranges and tangerines
• Grapes
• Other fruit such as berries

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Customer Survey

We have been conducting a survey of our customers over the last month.  We have been using a paper survey form at the market.  We would like to wrap things up and begin tabulating the responses.  So we want to give our customers one more opportunity to complete the survey using this on-line link.

The survey is being conduced by Shelly Dank+Day who is a graduate student in the Chatham University Food Studies Program.  The survey is part of her thesis.  So thanks to Shelly for supporting our market!

Here is the link: https://qtrial.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_86eo73JU3qkcSMs

David Lagnese

P.S. We will select one person from the online surveys to win a gift basket full of some of your favorite things from the market!

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Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Update for Saturday April 7th

This Saturday is the day before Easter, so I know many of will be preparing your homes and tables for an Easter feast.  The farmers and all the vendors at the market will have lots of items that we hope will end up on your Easter table.  Here is an update of special items.  A summary of the produce is at the bottom of the messsage. 

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The Update

Zang's Greenhouse... Special items for this week include ramps, and artichokes.  Rick will also have lots of greens, such as kale, collards and swiss chard- fresh asparagus and lettuce.  In the flower department, Rick will have a variety of Easter flowers.  But get to the market early if you want flowers.

The Greek Gourmet-  Mike from the Greek Gourmet wanted me to let everyone know that he will continue to bring the homemade spinach and meat pies to the market each week- in addition to 20+ flavors of hummus.  Yum!

Rebecca Plum Baked Goods-  Rebecca has really been turning out a wide variety of baked goods in recent weeks.  So I would expect to see lots of items that will be great for the Easter table.

California Fruits and Nuts

Over the past few months I have been increasing the selection of organic dried fruits and nuts avaiable- we noe have 9 varieties. This week I have yet another new organically grown item from California.  Please consider adding dried fruits and nuts to your Easter table.

Organic Pistachios- grown on a family farm called Santa Barbara Pistachio by the Zannon family.  These nuts were grown organically and processed on the farm.  They are roasted in small batches very soon prior to shipping.  They are roasted at a low temperature so that they are not over-cooked.

Learn more:  http://santabarbarapistachios.com/

And in case you missed it, we added two items last week.

Organic Walnuts- grown on a family owned farm called Rancho La Vina- located in the Santa Rita Hills.  The trees range in age from about 15 to 40 years old.  The variety is called Coastal Paynes.  The nuts are certified organic and are raw (unroasted or pasturized)  They are really delicious with a rich, sweet taste.  They are great for baking or just plain eating.

Learn more: http://www.rancholavina.com/

Eco-Dynamic Dates- I personally have always loved dates, both raw and in baked goods.  Some people don't appreciate them, but I encourage folks to give them a try.  I always say that dried fruit and nuts are a great replacement for candy, and that is especially the case with dates.  But they are also very nutricious- packed full of protein and minerals.  They have been consumed by humans for thousands of years.

These particular dates are grown on a family owned farm called Flying Disc Ranch.  The farm was started by Robert Lower back in the 1970s.  He is recognized as a pioneer in cultivating dates in California.  The quality of these dates have been recoginized by many chefs and foodies.  They grow many varities of dates- we will offer 2 for sale at the market- Zahidi and Deglet Noor.

Learn more: http://flyingdiscranch.com/

PA Made Cheese

I visited the Bylers on Wednesday at Riverview Dairy and farm in Clarion County.  I had a really great visit.  I had lunch with Sam and Susie, we tasted lots of cheese and got lots of updates on what is happening on the farm and new cheese thaey are making.  When we went out to visit the goats, I got to see lots of little baby goats (kids).  I was lucky enough to see a goat being born!

I brought home a wheel of a new aged tome cheese that they made.  Unlike the mild tasting tome cheeses that Sam has been making (Meadowbelle and Purple Goat)  this one has a nice sharp flavor.  Sam doesn't have a name for it yet.  He said we can try it and  make some suggestions.

California Olive Oil

The new oil I just got in from California has been getting rave reviews.  Come on in and give it a try.  

Sumnmary of Produce Available

Veggies

• Artichokes
• Potatoes (still locally grown at Greenawalt's)
• Ramps
• Mushrooms
• Squash
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Carrots and other root vegetables
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Shallots
• Peppers- sweet and hot
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Turnips
• Broccoli

Fruit

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Florida Citrus such as lemons, oranges and tangerines
• Grapes
• Other fruit such as berries

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Update for Saturday March 31st

Easter weekend is upon us.  So lots of folks who celebrate Easter will be busy preparing their homes for the holiday.  Hopefully a trip to the farmers market this Saturday and next will help you prepare your table.  In my family, I am responsible for cooking the Easter dinner and we have about 20+ family members attend.  Lamb is always the star of our meal, so of course I put my lamb order into the Kennedy's a few weeks ago.  But I certainly plan to get my eggs from Greenawalts and other veggies and goodies from all the other stands.  So here is the update for this week.

Improvements at the Market

The improvements at the market are ongoing- replacing the roof, and installing a 3 bowl sink at the Kew Park Coffee Bar.  Both projects are progressing nicely and are nearing completion.  We expect them to be completed in the next 2 weeks.   These projects are critical to the future of the market, and represent a big commitment on the part of the coop owners to keep the market operating.

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ITEMS AVAILABLE THIS SATURDAY

Zang's Greenhouse... Special items for this week include brussels sprouts, greens such as kale, collards and red swiss chard. Mini cucumbers.  In the flower department, fresh cut daffodils and a variety of Easter flowers.  You can also order Easter flowers for next Saturday.

A summary of fruits and vegetables available throughout the market from Zang's, Greenawalt and Kistaco stands is summarized below.  If you are interested in locally grown, please feel free to ask the farmers which items are local.

Veggies

• Potatoes (still locally grown at Greenawalt's)
• Mushrooms
• Squash
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Carrots and other root vegetables
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Shallots
• Peppers- sweet and hot
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Turnips (locally grown at Greenawalts)
• Broccoli

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Florida Citrus such as lemons, oranges and tangerines
• Grapes
• Other fruit such as berries

Other vendors in the market will also be open.  These includes many locally made offerings such as hummus from the Greek Gourmet, fresh baked items from Rebecca Plum, and fresh made donuts from Better-Made Donuts.  Also, pasta from Fontana Pasta, and bread from Wood Street Bakery.  Local eggs as well as many Amish made prepared items are available at Greenawalts.

Good L'Oven Bakery will be back with fresh baked goods.

California Fruits and Nuts

Over the past few months I have been increasing the selection of organic dried fruits and nuts avaiable.  These new relationships are a result of contacts I made on my last trip to California.  I have two new offerings that just came in!

Organic Walnuts- grown on a family owned farm called Rancho La Vina- located in the Santa Rita Hills.  The trees range in age from about 15 to 40 years old.  The variety is called Coastal Paynes.  The nuts are certified organic and are raw (unroasted or pasturized)  They are really delicious with a rich, sweet taste.  They are great for baking or just plain eating.

Learn more: http://www.rancholavina.com/

Eco-Dynamic Dates- I personally have always loved dates, both raw and in baked goods.  Some people don't appreciate them, but I encourage folks to give them a try.  I always say that dried fruit and nuts are a great replacement for candy, and that is especially the case with dates.  But they are also very nutricious- packed full of protein and minerals.  They have been consumed by humans for thousands of years.

These particular dates are grown on a family owned farm called Flying Disc Ranch.  The farm was started by Robert Lower back in the 1970s.  He is recognized as a pioneer in cultivating dates in California.  The quality of these dates have been recoginized by many chefs and foodies.  They grow many varities of dates- we will offer 2 for sale at the market- Zahidi and Deglet Noor.

Learn more: http://flyingdiscranch.com/

PA Made Cheese

As I mentioned last week, sheep milk cheese has finally arrived!  This is the Pecorino Romano from Otterbein Acres Sheep Dairy.  The sheep are raised by, and the cheese is made by, the Fisher family of  Newburg, PA which is in Cumberland Coounty.  The flavor is strong and full, but not overbearing.  We will also have fresh curds and some fresh goat milk cheese from RIverview Dairy.

California Olive Oil

We have newly pressed oil that just arrived from California.  This time I ordered several single variety oils versus blends because they are so distinctive in their tastes.  The first container that I tapped into is a variety called Picual.  It is a golden yellow oil with a ton of flavor.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Update for Saturday March 17th

All the farm stands will be open this week, with similar offerings as last week.  The general fruit and vegetable offerings are listed below.  The weather report looks incredible for Saturday so please make that an excuse to visit if you have not been to the market for a while. Please see the bottom of this message for an upadate on Sheep's milk cheese.

Improvements at the Market

There are two capital improvement projects going on now at the market.  One is to replace the roof of the building.  Of course projects like these for a 100 year old building are never simple.  Once the project began they recognized some masonary work had to be done as well.  The masonary work has been going on this week, and is nearly done.  The scond project is the installation of a new three bowl sink in the Kew Park Coffee Bar area.  Work began yesterday and will take a few weeks to complete.  These projects are critical, and represent a big commitment on the part of the coop owners to keep the market operating.

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ITEMS AVAILABLE THIS SATURDAY

Zang's Greenhouse... Special items for this week include brussels sprouts, greens such as kale, collards and swiss chard.  In the flower department, fresh cut daffodils and potted bulbs.

A summary of fruits and vegetables available throughout the market from Zang's, Greenawalt and Kistaco stands is summarized below.  If you are interested in locally grown, please feel free to ask the farmers which items are local.

Veggies

• Potatoes (still locally grown at Greenawalt's)
• Mushrooms
• Squash
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Carrots and other root vegetables
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Shallots
• Peppers- sweet and hot
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Turnips (locally grown at Greenawalts)
• Broccoli

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Florida Citrus such as lemons, oranges and tangerines
• Grapes
• Other fruit such as berries

Other vendors in the market will also be open.  These includes many locally made offerings such as hummus from the Greek Gourmet, fresh baked items from Rebecca Plum, and fresh made donuts from Better-Made Donuts.  Also, pasta from Fontana Pasta, and bread from Wood Street Bakery.  Local eggs as well as many Amish made prepared items are available at Greenawalts.

Good L'Oven Bakery will be back with fresh baked goods.

PA Made Cheese

The sheep milk cheese has finally arived!  I have been searching for PA made sheeps milk cheese for a while.  I noticed that one made by Otterbein Acres Sheep Dairy was on the menu at Cure Restaurant in Lawrenceville.  So I tracked it down and spoke to Paul Fisher, who owns the farm and dairy with his family.  They are located in Newburg, PA which is in Cumberland Coounty.  The cheese is made on the farm in a small cheese house, and aged in their cheese cellar.

Sheep milk cheese is near and dear to my heart because I first discovered it while visiting my relatives in the Campania region of Italy.  Its the only kind of cheese that my unlce Benito Antonio wold eat.  He simply called it  "Pecorino", but I usually hear this style referred to as Pecorino Romano.   It is sharp and very flavorful cheese.  

Well the cheese arrived today and I cut open a wheel to start tasting it.  Otterbein calls it Ewe’s Dream. It is made from raw sheep’s milk that is organic (grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic free). It has a thin rind and the interior color is pale yellow.   The cheese has a dense texture, but is softer than the pecorino's I had in Italy. The flavor is strong and full, but not overbearing.  I ate some plain and with bread, and also grated some onto Pasta pesto.  Yum.

California Olive Oil.

The olive oil that I ordered when I was out in Califoria a few weeks will be arriving tomorrow.  So I expect to have some available for sale on Saturday.  Several of the oils were pressed very recently, so I expect them to be stong and pungent.   Olive Oil becomes softer and more mellow as they age.  So if you are a fan of strong pungent oils, please make it a point to get some while they are at their best. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.